I'm diving into some DIY electrical work and was replacing an outlet when things got a bit complicated. I bought all the necessary tools and gear, watched tons of YouTube videos, and felt ready to tackle this. Initially, I was vacuuming when the cord pulled at the socket, causing a buzzing sound from behind the wall and knocking out power in several rooms. I replaced the old outlet, but once I got into the wall, I found more wires than I expected. I noticed problems with how the last plug was wired, like two wires being attached to one screw, which seems dangerous. Now, I'm stuck and unsure if I should continue or call in an electrician. Can a regular DIYer handle this situation, or is it time to get professional help?
4 Answers
This looks like a situation where you'd want to stop and call an electrician. It doesn't seem like a project you can just fix on your own, especially if there are aluminum wires involved. Make sure you get a pro to handle the connections properly—it's safer that way. Just for your knowledge, they won't charge too much for something like this since it’s really about the box and plug at this point.
I think you’re in over your head. You should never have cut those wires unless you were certain there was damage. It seems like you have multiple Romex cables in there, and if you're dealing with aluminum wires, special care is needed to avoid corrosion. I really recommend getting an electrician to sort this out.
Definitely call an electrician. This situation seems out of your depth, and it's best to keep the breaker off until a pro has a look. It appears you might have a mix of wire types here, which can create safety risks. Don't take any chances with electrical work if you're unsure about the wiring.
Is this a switched outlet you’re dealing with? That can add another layer of complexity. But honestly, if you’ve got any doubts, reaching out to an electrician would save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
The 'not a wire' might just be the spring clip. It's easy to confuse, but if it’s a ground, you definitely need an expert to check everything before you proceed.